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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma Army National Guardsman, Spc. Evann Paulsen, member of 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, performs border operations along the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, August 16, 2023. Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen are assisting the Texas National Guard with border security by manning security points to identify and alert local law enforcement of any illegal immigrant or drug trafficking activities. The deployment is expected to last through the end of August with a follow-on deployment of an additional 50 Soldiers and Airmen sometime in 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

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Oklahoma Army National Guardsman, Spc. Evann Paulsen, member of 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, performs border operations along the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, August 16, 2023. Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen are assisting the Texas National Guard with border security by manning security points to identify and alert local law enforcement of any illegal immigrant or drug trafficking activities. The deployment is expected to last through the end of August with a follow-on deployment of an additional 50 Soldiers and Airmen sometime in 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers, Spc. Blake Morgan (left), member of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Sgt. Chance Minter (right), member of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade, perform border operations along the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, August 16, 2023. Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen are assisting the Texas National Guard with border security by manning security points to identify and alert local law enforcement of any illegal immigrant or drug trafficking activities. The deployment is expected to last through the end of August with a follow-on deployment of an additional 50 Soldiers and Airmen sometime in 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

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Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers, Spc. Blake Morgan (left), member of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Sgt. Chance Minter (right), member of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade, perform border operations along the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, August 16, 2023. Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen are assisting the Texas National Guard with border security by manning security points to identify and alert local law enforcement of any illegal immigrant or drug trafficking activities. The deployment is expected to last through the end of August with a follow-on deployment of an additional 50 Soldiers and Airmen sometime in 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard, Spc. Darrell Casey (left), member of 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Staff Sgt. Patrick Sanchez (right), member of the 137th Special Operations Wing, perform border operations along the Rio Grande River, August 2, 2023. Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen are assisting the Texas National Guard with border security by manning security points to identify and alert local law enforcement of any illegal immigrant or drug trafficking activities. The deployment is expected to last through the end of August with a follow-on deployment of an additional 50 Soldiers and Airmen sometime in 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

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Members of the Oklahoma National Guard, Spc. Darrell Casey (left), member of 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Staff Sgt. Patrick Sanchez (right), member of the 137th Special Operations Wing, perform border operations along the Rio Grande River, August 2, 2023. Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen are assisting the Texas National Guard with border security by manning security points to identify and alert local law enforcement of any illegal immigrant or drug trafficking activities. The deployment is expected to last through the end of August with a follow-on deployment of an additional 50 Soldiers and Airmen sometime in 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

OKLAHOMA CITY –

Fifty Oklahoma National Guard members who deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border in support of the Texas Military Department’s Operation Lone Star returned to Oklahoma on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

Comprising both Army National Guard Soldiers and Air National Guard Airmen, the Oklahoma National Guard members were stationed at security points alongside Texas National Guard members to help identify and report suspicious activities related to illegal immigration and drug trafficking to local law enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol.

Video by Leanna Maschino

Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 Tests Oklahoma Guard's UAS Capabilities

Oklahoma National Guard

Sept. 13, 2025 | 2:13

Package: Members of the Oklahoma National Guard conduct Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma. The exercise tested concepts for countering an evolving threat environment and drew visitors from across the state and world, including industry leaders, National Guard representatives, active-duty forces, and emergency management officials. Training included a Chinook infill, tactical movement through wooded terrain and clearance of an enemy trench system under simulated multi-domain threats, highlighting the integration of emerging technologies to enhance lethality, improve survivability, and sustain readiness for future conflicts. CG Information: Lt. Col. Brent Hill (00:08-00:14) Director, OKNG UAS/Launched Effects Program Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (00:28-00:30) The adjutant general for Oklahoma Additional footage by: Sgt. Haden Tolbert Senior Airman Erika Chapa Sgt. Cambrie Cannon Sgt. Joe Pena Sgt. Kenshi Kaneshiro